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Discover Bath: Your guide to the city in July

July is a great time to be in Bath, to make the most of the summer events calendar and explore during the long, light evenings. There’s plenty to do outdoors, from a walk in the city’s many public gardens to a stroll along the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Here are just a few suggestions to help you make the most of your time.

Head into Bath to join the celebrations and dance to the beat of samba drums. For just one day, this festival takes over the main centre, involving hundreds of performers from local schools, clubs and community groups. You’ll struggle to miss the big procession (from 3pm to 5pm) so watch out for lines of colourful dancers weaving their way round the city’s streets. There’s also a free ‘party in the park’ at Sydney Gardens and an official afterparty at popular music venue Komedia, starring BBC 6 Music DJ Don Letts.

Set within 125 acres of stunning grounds, the American Museum is the perfect place to enjoy a spot of open-air theatre. So, sit back, relax and enjoy a romantic tale, originally written by the famous Bath author Jane Austen. This will be the Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s 20th year of touring, and the production, created by award-winning playwright Laura Turner, has been a favourite with Chapterhouse audiences for years.

The Makery is a fantastic place to visit if you’re mad about crafts. Whether you want to find out about furniture upholstery, calligraphy or macramé, there’s plenty to choose from in the month of July. This business is committed to helping people find their creativity, and learn to live resourcefully – after all, if you can make it yourself, you don’t need to buy it! If you’ve ever wanted to create hand-made gifts for special occasions, you need to try this. Visit to learn a new skill in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

There’s more to Bath than streets, shops and cafes. The city also has some fabulous viewpoints, allowing you to look down on the Georgian architecture which has made it famous as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Bath Skyline Walk, run by the National Trust, is the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and explore the surrounding countryside. All walks start in Abbey Churchyard, just by Bath Abbey, and end at Prior Park – a stunning 18th century landscape garden designed by Capability Brown.

Check the Bath Racecourse website for dates for summer racing dates. Whether you’re new to horse racing or a seasoned regular, you’ll enjoy a great atmosphere. A ticket for the grandstand enclosure will give you easy access to food outlets, bars, the parade ring and the final furlong. Or, you can book the roof garden, on the top floor of the Langridge Stand, to enjoy spectacular views overlooking the city.

Bath Spa Hotel’s Sales, Events and Marketing Manager gives us her insider’s tip for the best of Bath this month.

If you’ve ever wondered how magic happens, this is your chance to find out. London magicians Tony Middleton ‘Sonic’ and Dominick Zwolinski are the stars of the bestselling show Sleight of Hand on the Strand at the world-famous Savoy Hotel. Join them in the Bath Spa Hotel’s historic Admiralty Room (used by Winston Churchill for private meetings) to find out the drama behind impossible illusions and hear intriguing stories from history. This new show is a truly fascinating insight into what it takes to pull off a magic trick!